Amusement device



Mar. 6, 1923. 1,447,895.

` R. SCHAFER.

AMUSEMENTDEVIGE.

HLED JUNE I9, 1922. '2 SHEETS-SHEET i.

@neuneu Mau". 6, 1923. 1,447,895.

- R. SCHAFER.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE. FILED JUNE 19. 1922.

2 SHEETSHSHEET 2.

ramas Mar.' e, reas.

narran stares 'anx Samarra, ormone BEACH, cenrroama.

musnmnrrr nnvrcn;

Application mea ,June 191922. serial nu. 569,250.

To all whom t may concern.: A

Be it known that l, REX SGHAFER, a citivzenof Canada, residing at Long lthe county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Amusement Devices, `of which the following is a specification'. rlflriis invention relates generally to overhead carriers, and more particularly to a device of this character designed chiefly for amusement purposes although of course, it will be obvious that the device is adaptable for a multitude of other uses. l

An important object of the invention resides in the provision of a side slung carrier truck, which is ofan inexpensive construction andyet durable. and efficient in operation' and embodies a construction whereby the same may ride freely upon an overhead rail having a lateral support, and which4 is of such construction that it can be manufactured and placed in use at the minimum' expense. A

Another important Obj ect ofthe invention is to provide a carrier truck which is of sectional construction so that the various sections Inay assume variousv angular relations with respect to each other whereby .movement of the truck around curves will be facilitated, and the friction created between the truck and rail will be reduced to the minimum. l

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a carrier truck having impelling means associated therewith, said means being electrically operated, the electrical energy being derived from a trolley -wire' and conducted thereto through a simple and eiicient arrangement carried by the truck.

Still another object of the invention resides in the` pro-vision of a carrier truck composed of a pair of sections or units connected for relative movement, each section or unit comprising an independent carrier truck in itself capable of disconnection from its co-acting section so as to be capableof carrying a separate load in spaced relation to the co-acting truck.

Another `object of the yinvention 'resides in the provision of 'av/carriage adapted for particular connection to' the carriertruck whereby the former *canV have movement' relative to the latter, the carriage being so constructed as to be revolvably mounted.

Beach, in4

Other objects and advantages of the in- ,vention will become apparent during the vcourse 'of the following Ldescription.

--In the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthe description and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts -throughout the severalviews,

Figure lis a vertical section through the invention, n

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the carrier truck, l

Figure 3 is a bottom` plan of one section of the truck with coupling means associated' therewith, and l Figure 4 is a top plan of the carriage.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a portion ofthe rail.

In the drawings wherein l have shown the embodiment of my inventionA which is at present preferred, the numeral 5 designates an overhead rail or one in suspension, which may be arranged horizontally or on an incline, and in the present instance or embodiment of the invention, embodies ai I plurality of curves and bends, it being understood that for amusement purpose the rail would be tortuous and include inclined portions as well as perfectly horizontal ones to add thrills to the ride in a device mounted on therail. lt will of course, be understood that the rail is held in suspension by a plurality of posts, one of which is shown at 6, and as the means for supporting the rail from each post is identically the same, a description of one will suiice for all. This means consists of a bracket or plate 7 which is rigidly secured'to a side of a post 6 in any. suitable manner and has extending- -therefrom and laterally of the post, an arm 8, the outer end of which joins to a vertical side ofk the rail 5 as clearly shown. rlhis arm 8 joins to the rail between its upper and lower longitudinal edges and supportsy the rail in a vertical plane as shown.

order that the arm 8 of each bracket will ist ' opening at the inner side "frame, 1s of such size that it extends above and.V

`bushings 22 tion, a trolley wire 11 ishung directly above the rail 5 for conducting electricity for a purpose which will be presently described.

,A carrier truck 12 rides on the rail 5 and a 'plurality' of spaced-.hinge knuckles '14 which extend laterally of the outer side of the carrier frame, and the hinged knuckles of the two `frames 13,'are associatedto form the well known type of hinge joint as shown -in the drawings. Ahinge pin 15 is`extended through the openings of the aligned knuckles to hingedly connect the same. The upper end of this hinge pin is screw threaded as shown in Fig. 2, and a nut 16 is threaded thereon to.V abut theuppermost knuckle of the joint so that the hinge pin will be sus! pended therein. The lower end of this pin is provided with an eye 17 for the purpose of holding a load in suspension from the carrier truck. As each truck frame 13 embodies the same construction for being mounted on the rails, a will suffice forboth.

The frame of each truck 12 is providedwlth an opening V.18` extending transversely thereof, it being. noted that the side of the of the frame'opens' into this side jso'as to permit the 'admission of a portion of the rail supporting arm when the truck isvmounted on the rail 5. A cavity 19 is provided in the frame tol extend yat right angles to the opening 18 and' it will be noted that this cavity extends above and below the opening 18 and has its relative upper open end opening into, the truck or4 frame. It will therefore be seen that the carrier' frame is provided with a cruciform openlng extending transverselyv of the andas clearly seen in Fig. v1 the rail below the opening 18 when the frame is positioned upon the rail. rangement renders it necessary to tilt the carr1e`r truck 1n placing it upon the rail, and' effectively prevents the truck from being'de railed. Vv I" The supporting w/heel or roller 2O of one frame 1 3 -is arranged in the cavity 19 above the opening 18 and is mounted upon an axle or' stub shaft 21 which extends transversely through the cavity as seen. If desired, the ends of the axle 21` can be mounted in .the so asl to reduce friction and wear on the frame f the truck. f

The supporting wheel or roller 2070i one frame 13 is adapted' to be driven so as to description ofl o-ne engages with the top of the rail 5, it will be seen that the weight of the same is sustained This particular ar at/their `,lower ends to the top of the frame 13,v and the .upper ends l of the arms are bridged by the trolley wheel axle 29 whlch is wheel `3Ois rotatably mounted' on the axle and is ofsuch size that it can slide longitudinally on the axle tov compensate for any misalignment of the trolley wire 11 with the rail 5. Suitable conductors are led from the aXle to the electric motor 26.' The trolley wheel30 presses upward on the trolley wire and is held lin 'close engagement therewith bymeans of a spring y31 having connection insulated from `the arms as shown. A trolley with the trolley mechanism and the truck .frame to normally urgethe arms 28 of the trolley mechanismupwardly so as to cause the trolley Whelfto bear firmly on the wire 11. 1 i i As the driven wheel 20 of the truck frarmu by this wheel. In order to prevent.y accid'ental vertical movement of the truck frame with respect tothe rail, a pair of spaced rollers 32 are rotatably mounted in the lower end of the cavity 19 and below the opening 18 so as to be engaged with: the relative bot` tom of the rail as clearly seen in Fig. 1. The carrier truck is retained in upright position and parallel to' the rail by tw'o pairs of horizontally disposed rollers 33,' and 34. The pair of rollers 33 are arranged in vertical alignment on a vertical axis to engage therelative outer side of the rail, while the of a vertically arranged screw 35 which is adapted to be turned into the frame as seen. A cotter pin is passed through the free reduced end of the screw to removably retain the roller associated therewith. It will be 'noted that ythe space between -the pair of rollers 34 is sufficient to permit removal of the rollers one at a time so that the carrier truck can be readily removed from the rail when desired.

As the two truck frames' 13 are joined together, it is only necessary to drive one of the rollers 20 thereof, as is well understood, so that only one of the truck frames 13 is provided with the 1,447,895 electric motor and driving mechanism... As riage may hold onto the rail-'and avoid being s'een inv F ig. 2, the bottom of each truck ej frame is provided below the shaft 21 and in of its travel.

` vertical alignment therewith, with means for From the foregoing description, it will be suspending a load therefrom, thel means in seen that the-carriageisrevolvably mounted `the present instance consisting of an openon the sling elenent and furthermore by its ing 3G for'the'passage of suitable attaching particular suspension is. free to sway and means ln order that two or more truclr swing from side to side 'as the carrier truck ected from the carriage during the course vframes may be coupled together in spaced moves'on the rail 5'. Whenever the carrier` v relation to each other, the relative lower truck turns a curve, the weight of the pas'- outer corner of each frame is provided with sengers in the carriage will cause the same i an outwardly extending apertured lug 37 to swing outwardly of the rail and post,

wardly through the carriage andthrough a weigh-t in the carriage. l

crest block 46 supported upon and bolted to 4. A carrier truck having an opening with which can be associated, anv suitable yand due to the fact that the carriage will coupling means 38 which will properly re-J not be evenlyl balanced by the passengers, it.

tain the truck frames in spaced relation atwill revolve around the slingvelement and' all times, and prevent one frame from overadd many thrills to the ride in the carriagp.y 'taking the other on down grades. Tile .foregoing description and accom- It will of course` be obvious that the two -panying drawings 'have reference 'to what sections ofthe carrier truck 12 can be dismight be considered to be the approved connected andarranged in tandem as set form of my invention.r lt is desired to be forth above, by simply removing the nut 16 understood that l may malie 'changes in the from the hinge pin 15 and/spacing the two construction, combination and arrangement that a load truck frame.` l

For the purpose `of suspending a carriage 39 from the truck, .a sling member-40 con-` trated my inventionywhat I claim is.:- sisting of an elongated rod is provided and 1. An amusement device vcomprisinga secequip'ped at its upper end with an eye or tional carrier truclr, the sections 0j thetruck of the appended claims,

4loop41 adapted fonconnection with the eye beighinged together on a vertical pivot 17 of the hinge pin 15. The lower end ofthe E' wherebyfthe turning movement of the truck sling rod is screw threaded and a nut 42 'is on curves of the rails is facilitated,and aY I i threaded thereony for supporting a ball race carriage connected to said vertical pivot. 43. This ball .race consistsfof a pair of 2. y plates of substantial size rotatably mounted rier truck mounted on an overhead rail, a on the lower end of the sling rod, and sepasling element depending from the carrier rated by ball bearings 44. A base plate y45f and loosely connected thereto, a supporting is also rotatably mounted on the sling ro'd base rotatably mounted on .the sling element,-

and is supported on theuppermostplateof 1and a carriage carried by the supporting the ball race. The carriage 39 in the pres. base, g f o j ent instance. consists of a receptacle of tub- '3. The combination with a tortuous rail like configuration having lits bottom fasin suspension, a carrier truck mounted there- Having thus Y fuuy described' mid illus-' An amusement device comprising a carvtruck frames by the-coupling means. 38 so loffparts, materials, dimensions, etc., as4 may i t acan be suspended from each prove expedient and fall within the scopetened to thel top of the base plate 45 in any on, and a carriage suspended from the truck suitable manner. The botto-m of 'the' car-L and being revolvable, Said carriage being, in-

riage^is apertured for the passage of the duced' to revolve by the carrier traveling sling rod which is adapted .to extend uparound the tortuous rail and' unbalanced the upper ends of a plurality of-upwardly therein and opening into a side thereof, a-

convergingi standards 47 arranged around. suspension rollerA carried'- by the truck, al1157 the sling element and fastened at their lower roller carried by the` truck( and engageable ends"to the bottom -of the carriage. These with one side of the rail upon which the destandards are spaced apart, and to each bevice is mounted, and a pair ofl rollers also tween its ends is connected a seat supporting carried by the truck for engagement with y supported on the bars .48 and are arranged bar 48', the outer erd of which is fastened to the opposite side of the rail, said pair of the side of the carriage. 'A plurality of seat rollers being spaced apart for the passage sections 49 which are'p'referably padded are of supporting means of the rail.

v 5. A carrier truck adapted to be mounted around the supporting standards 47 so that upon a rail in suspension, lsaid truck being the limbs of passengers can extend through provided with a cruciform' opening therein the crest block supporting structure. For .extending from one end tothe other of the the purpose of safety, a hand rail 5() encirtruck one portion of the opening having cles the upper ends of the standards 47 and communication with the side of the truck, a is secured thereto by straps 51 bolted to the suspension wheel mounted in the opening standards so that the passengers of the carand engageable with the rail, and a pair of removable' rollers associated with the p01'- tion of the opening which opens into the side of the truck.

' G. An amusementdevice comprising a carrier truck, a Vsling element depending' therefrom, a carriage revolvably mounted on the sling element, a crest block carried by` the carriage 'adjacent its upper end for the passage of the l sling element, seats arranged within the carriage for the purpose set forth, 10 and an annular hand .rail carried by the crest'bloek inward of said' seat.

In testimony whereof I ax-my -signature in presence of two witnesses. l .Y REX SCHAFER. Wtnessesf .EVELYN WATSON,

GERTRUDE M. WHITE. 

